Heat engine operated by the expansion of liquids



June 11, 1929 .1. F. J. MALONE HEAT ENGINE OPERATED BY THE EXPANSION OF LIQUIDS 2v Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 27, 1924 llllirllnlllIllrllllllllllllll 4 llllllldllirnllllllllllllllalltlr lllllllllllllllllllllll4414541 JWM \\\\\\Amu JUIN 11, 1929- J. F.h J. MALONE 1,717.1,61

HEAT OPERATED BY THE EXPANSION OF LIQUIDS Filed Feb. 27. 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 Willow/2% APatented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATESv PATENT ',OF'FICE.

JOHN FOX JENNENS MALONE, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, ENGLAND.

HEAT ENGINE OPERATED BY THE EXPANSION 0F LIQUIDS.

Application filed February 27, 1924, Serial No. 695,534, and in Great Britain February 28, 1923.

This invention relates to heat engines of the type described in my U. S. Patent No. l1.487,664 of March 18, 1924 in which the engine is operated by the expansion of a liquid alternately displaced from one end-to the other of a cylinder of which the ends are maintained at a constant difference of temperature by a source of heat and by a cooling medium.

According to this invention the cylinders in which the rams reciprocate and the mechanism for converting the reciprocating motion of the rams into the rotary motion of a shaft are separate from, though in communication with, the displacer cylinders in which the working medium is alternately hea-ted and cooled.

Qther novel features of the invention will be described later in the specification.

The pressures and temperatures used are limited only by 'the strength of the materials employed. The temperature range may be from about 90 F. to 650O F. and the lower pressure must be such that the working medium remains in the liquid state at the highest temperature. It is, however, conceivable that under some special conditions the te1nperature of the liquid at the hot end of the displacer cylinders may be raised above the critical point and some small portion ofthe liquid may be converted into the gaseous state, but such condi-tions would not arise in the normal working conditions contemplated.

In the accompanying drawings, which represent an example of an engine according to the invention Fig. 1 is an end elevation, partly in section, oit the power cylinders and gearing. y

Fig. 1 is a vi ew of the'l'ower portion of Fig. 1 on a larger scale.y

Fig. 2 is a front elevation, mainly in section, of the apparatus as a whole.

' Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the trip gear, i

Fig. 3a is a horizontal longitudinal section of the trip gear, and

Figs. 4 6 are explanatory diagrams.

1 are cylinders (the displacer cylinders) closed at each end and containing a liquid, which may be assumed to be water, and displacer rods 2 which transfer the liquid at suitable parts of the working cycle of the engine from one end to the other of the cylinders 1. The cylinders 1 are inserted in gas-tight apertures 3 provided in a casing 4 traversed by the lire gases from a furnace or otherwise main'- tained at a high temperature. The ends of the cyhnders in the casing are connected to metal blocks 5. The other ends of the cylinders are inserted in water-tight apertures 6 in a tank 7 and are maintained at a low temperature by a constant flow of water through the tank.

The cylinders 1 are divided into two sets connected respectively by pipes 8 and 9 with the gland 14. This figure also shows the rod 23 entering the gland.

Nuts 22 are secured to the outer ends of the rams 12 and 13 and rods 23 inserted in and coaxial with the rams are provided rwith eX- ternal threads 24 of coarse pitch engaging Awith similar internal threads in the nuts 22. kLongitudinal displacement of the rods 23 is prevented by the engagement of the heads 25 in recesses 26 provided in plugs 27 screw threaded respectively into the. outer ends of 4the cylinders 10, 11. The inner ends of the recesses 26 are closed by rings 28 screw threaded into the plugs 27, withopemngs to allow the passage of the rods 23 but not of the heads 25. Packing to prevent leakage of liquid past the junction of the plug and cylinder is 1nserted at 29.

As the rams 12 and 13 vand with them lthe nuts 22 reciprocate, the rods 23 are rotated and this rotation is imparted to pinions 30, secured to the rods 23, and engag-V ing with rack 31 by which a corresponding reciprocal motion is produced in rods 32, ar-

ranged at right angles to the rains 12, 13.

Preferably, the pitch ofthe threads in the nuts 22 and on the rods 23 is such that the pinions 30 rotate through a complete revolution during one stroke of the rams. Lateral extensions 33 of the cylinders 10, 11 provide guides for the reciprocating motion of the 'rods 32.

rl`he rods 3,2 are connected, by trip gears contained in guide casings 34 (one of such trip gears being shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2 and in detail in Fig. 3 and 3a), to similar Cil rods provided with racks 36' engaging with pinions 37 secured to r'ods 38. The rods 38 are provided with long pinions engaging racks 39 secured to the cold ends ot the displacers 2, which are consequently reciprocated in conformity with the movements of the rods 35.

The intervention ot a trip gear is necessary between the rods 32 and the rods 35, since the displacers move with the rams through a part only of the stroke of the latter.

' In the example illustrated in Figs. 3 ant 3", the rods 32 and 35 are each adapted to slide in a guide casing 34. The rods 32 are provided 'vith heads 40 to each otl which ispivoted a pawl 41 adapted to engage against shoulders 42 and 43 in vextensions 44 of the rods 35. A double faced cam 45 is secured in each guide 34 and these cams 45 are adapted, during the movement of therods 32, to engage and raise the pawls 4I against the action of springs 46 trom the shoulders 42 of the rods 35 after the rams have completed a certain portion of their downward strokes. This permits the rams to iinish their strokes while the displacers are stationary. During the upward strokes ot the rams, the opposite movement to that just described takes place, the Iirst part of this movement being effected without any movement of the displacers, whereas during the remainder of the movement, the rams lI and l2 and the displacers 2 move together.

In order to vary as may be required the portion of the stroke in which the displacers are stationary, the position of the block 45 may be altered and for this purpose it may be provided with a pin 4Ga adapted to beinserted in any one ot holes 47 provided in the guide casing 34.

The liquid in the power cylinders 10 and ll is preferably oil and in contact with the liquid, which as statedabove may be water in the displacer cylinders.

The action may be explained as follows with the aid of the explanatory diagrams Figs. 4 6.

From the dead centre position of the crank shown in Fig. l and indicated at the point C in Fig. 4, the rams are descending and the displacers 2 of the lower set (Fig. 2) move from the left towards the right and displace the liquid Afrom the heated to the cooled end at a constant low pressure. )Vlien the point D (Fig. 4) of the cycle is reached, the displacers are disconnected from. the trip gear. The ram l2 has moved from C to I) (Fig. G) and the displacers are in the position E ot Fig. 5. The rams (Fig. 6) are permitted, by contraction of the liquid caused by progressive cooling after the liquid has been displaced to the cool end of the displacer cylinders, to complete the descent while the displacers are stationary, movement of the displacers of the upper set having meanwhile caused expansion of the liquid above the upper ram to keep pace with the contraction of liquid below the lower ram. lVhen the lower dead centre A is reached, the displacers are still at the hot end of their cylinders, as shown at E (Fig. 5) and the ram l2 is at A (Fig. (i).

The rams now rise as the crank rotates from A to B (Fig. 4), the liquid is displaced from the cold to the hot end of the lower set of displacers as shown at F (Fig. 5) and the corresponding displacement in the opposite direction having occurred at the same time in the upper set of displacers, the rams have completed half their upward stroke indicated at B oi Fig. 6. The range of temperature is so chosen that the decrease of volume due to the cooling is approximately equal to the increase ot volume of the liquid in the displacers as the temperature of that volume is raised on passing from the cold to the hot end of the displacer cylinders. This quadrant of thev cycle is the period during which power is developed in the engine and the energ f generated depends upon the product of the pressure applied and the increase of volume ot the liquid in passing from the cold to the hot end of the displacers.

In the last quadrant of the cycle as the crank rotates from B to C the rams rise to the position C while the displacers are stationa ry the volume of liquid increasing under progressive heating thereof.

'I' he action of the ram 13 in the upper cylinder' Il in connection with the other set of displacers is similar to that described with re'lerence to the ram l2, but with the diii'erence that as theram 13 descends the space available tor the liquids is increased and the pressure consequently falls, so that the power is developed as the crank passes from the position C to position D.

The volume swept through by each ram when moving withthe displacer is equal to the change oi volume of the liquid as it passes from one end to the other of the corresponding set of displacer cylinders, and the volume swept through by the ram in its further movement when the displacer is stationary is equal to the change of volume due to the compression of the liquids and the increased capacity of the containing vessels at the higher pressure.

It is understood that a portion only and not the whole volume ot the liquid is displaced from one end to the other of the displacer cylinders and that the range of temperature oit any portion of the liquid in the displacer cylinders is only a fraction of the ditIerence ot' temperature at which the two ends of these cylinders are maintained.

In an experimental plant, the length ot the displacers was inches, the stroke of the displacers 5 inches, the diameter of the displacers 5/8 of an inch, the width of the annular space between the displacers and the internal wall of the cylinders 3/64 of an inch, the travel of each portion of the lm of liquid fil in the annular space was l5 inches and the consequent change of temperature of each portion olf liquid only 1/5 of the temperature difference between the hot and cold ends of the displacer cylinders.

In order that the Volume of the liquid in the displacer cylinders and consequently the pressure generated may be varied as required, a tank 4S is connected by means of a valve 49, branch pipe 50, and valves 8a and 9a to the displacer cylinders by pipes 8 and 9, respectively.

The tank 48 is also connected by a pump 5l and valve 52 to an accumulator 53, which communicates through a valve 54 and. pipe 55 with the pipe 50.

By opening the valve 8a or Valve 9L and valve 49 liquid can liow from the displacer cylinders into thetank 48 to eii'ect the required reduction in the quantity oit liquid and consequently in the pressure. Liquid from the tank 48 can be pumped into the accumulator 53 by working the pump 5l and delivered as required into the pipe 50 to add to the Volume present at any time in the displacer cylinders.

In order to start the engine, liquid can be supplied at low pressure from the accumulator 53 to the displacer cylinders, the casing 5 heated and the pump 5l worked to increase the pressure in the liquid system. Vhen the engine is started the pump 5l can be driven by any suitable means.

Having thus described the nature of the said linvention and the best means I know Otl carrying the same into practical effect, I claim 1. A heat engine comprising in combination a plurality or liquid-containing werking cylinders, a plunger reciprocating in each oi' said'eylinders, a set of displacers associated with each working cylinder, a set of intereommunicating liquid-containing cylin- .ders wherein said displacers are contained,

means operated by said plungers for reciproeating said displacers and thereby alternately transferring liquid to opposite ends of said displacer cylinders, said plunger operated means being adapted to be connected With and disconnected from said displacers, means controlling the connection and disconnection of said plunger operated means and said displacers, said controlling; means being adjustable to regulate the times of connection and disconnection of said plunger operated means and said displacers, means 'for maintaining the ends of said displacer cylinders at a ditvterence o'i temperature and means connecting each set of displacer cylinders with each associated workingcylinder. i

2. A heat engine comprising in combination a liquid-containing working cylinder and a plunger reciprocating therein, a set of displacers and a set of intercommunicating liquid-containing cylinders wherein said displacers are contained,means operated by said plunger to reciprocate said displacers with said plunger through a part of the stroke of the plunger and thereby alternately transfer liquid to opposite ends ot said displacer cylinders, said plunger operated means being engageable with and disengageable from said displacers, means controlling the engagen'ient and disengagement ot' said plunger operated means with said displacers, said controlling means bein adjustable to regulate the times of engagement and disengagement et said plunger operated means with said displacers, means for maintaining the ends oit said dispiacer cylinders at a diiierence of temperature and means connecting said displacer cylinders with said working cylinder.

' A heat engine comprising in combina.- tion a plurality or liquid-containing working cylinders, a. plunger reciprocating in each ot said cylinders, a set of displacers associated with each working cylinder, a set of intercommunicating liquid-containing cylinders wherein said displacers are contained, means operated by said plungers to reciprocate said displacers through. a part oit the stroke of the plungers and thereby alternately transfer liquid to opposite ends el' said displacer cylinders, said plunger operated means being engageable with and disengageable from said displacers, means controlling the engagement and disengagement or said plunger operated means with said displacers, said controlling smeans being adjustable to regulate the times of engagement and disengagement of said plunger operated means with said displacers, means for maintaining` the ends oli said displacer cylinders at a dii'ferencev of temperature and means connecting each set ot displacer cylinders with each. associated wor ing cylinder.

4. A heat engine comprising` in combination a liquid-containing working cylinder and a plunger reciprocating therein, a set of displacers and a set O'l intercommunicating liquid-containing cylinders wherein said displacers are contained, a rack and means operated by said plunger to reciprocate said rack, a second rack coaxial with said firstmentiened rack and engageable and disengageable with the latter, means 'for causing the engagement and disengagement of said racks, said last-named means being adjustable to regulate the times of engagement and disengagementof said racks and means associated with said second rack to reciprocate said displacers and thereby alternately transter liquid to opposite ends oif said displacer cylinders, means for maintaining the ends of said displacer cylinders at a diterence of temperature and means connecting said displacer cylinders with said working cylinder.

5. A heat engine con'iprising in combination a plurality of liquid-containing working cylinders, a plunger reciprocating in each of said cylinders,- a set of displacers associated with each working' cylinder, a set ot intercoi'ninunicating liquid-containing cylinders wherein said displacers are contained, a rack associated with each plunger and means operated by said plungers to reciprocate said racks, racks respectively coaxial with said lirst mentioned racks, said lirst-named racks being engageable with and disengageable from said second-named racks, means controling the engagement and disengagement ot said racks, said means being adjustable for regulating the times of engagement and disengagement of said racks, and means associated with said second mentioned racks to reciin'ocate respectively said displacers, and thereby alternately transfer liquid to opposite ends oi? said displacer cylinders, means for maintaining the ends ot said displacer cylinders at a dil'lerence of temperature, and means connecting each set of displacer cylinders with each associated working cylinder.

6. A heat engine comprising in combination a licpiid-containing working cylinder and a plunger reciprocating therein, a set et displacers and a set ot intercommunicating liquid-containing cylinders wherein said displacers are contained, a rack and means operated by said plunger to reciprocate said rack, a second rack coaxial with said lirst mcntioned rack, said secon d mentioned rack having an extension provided with spaced recesses, a pawl pivoted on said Vtiret mentioned rack adailited to engage in one or other oit said recesses, a guiding casin 0' for said racks, a beveled-einled block secured to said casing and adapted to be adjusted to raise said pawl from said recesses at ditl'erent parts ot the stroke of said iii rst mentioned rack, means associated with said second racl; to reciprocate said displacers and thereby alternately transiter liquid to opposite ends ot said displacer cylinders, means 'for maintaining the ends of said displacer cylinders at a d iiiierence oi: temA perature and means connecting said displacer cylinders with said working cylinder.

7. A heat engine comprising in combination a plurality et liqllid-containing working cylinders, a plunger reciprocatin in each ot said cylinders, a set of displacers associated with each working cylinder, a set oi `intercommunicating liquid-containing cylinders nfherein said dsplacers are contained, a rack associated with each plunger and reciprocated by the movement ot such plunger, a second rack in longitudinal alignment with each ot said tirst-inentioned racks, a guiding casing tor each pair oi aligned racks, each 0i said second racks having a shoulder, a, pawl carried by ea ch of said ilirst racks for engagement with the shoulder ot the aligned second rack, a bevelen ded block in each ot said `guiding casings and adjustable lengthwise et the latter for engaging' and lifting the pa wl ot the first rack from the shoulder of the second rack working in such casing at ditterent parts of' the stroke ot such first rack, means associated with each et said second racks to reciprocate one of said sets et displacers and thereby alternately transfer liquid to opposite ends et said displacer cylinders, means tor n'iaintaining the ends of said displacer cylinders at a difference of temperature and means connecting each set ot displacer cylinders with each associated working cylinder.

8.1L heat engine comprising in combination a liquid-containing working cylinder and a plunger reciprocating therein, a set et displacers and a of intereommunicating liquid-containing cylinders wherein said displacers are contained, means connecting said displacer cylinders and said working cylinder, a screw threaded nut on the outer end ot said plunger, a rod coaxial with said plunger and having a coarse pitched thread engaging with the screw thread of said' nut, means for preventing the axial movementot said rod, a. pinion on sai d rod and means actuated by said pinion :tor causing said (flisplacers to reciprocate with but only through part of the stroke ot said phiinger and thereby alternately transter liquid to opposite ends of said displacer cylinders, and means tor maintaining the ends of said displa-cer cylinders at a diti'ercnce of tern] )erature.

9. A heat engine comprising in combination a l iquid-containing workin g cylinder and a plunger reciprocating therein, a set ot displacers and a set of intercomnmnicating liquid-containing cylinders wherein said displacers are contained, means connecting said Y displacer cylinders to said working cylinder, a screw threaded nut on the outer end of said plunger, a rod coaxial with said plunger, and having a coarse pitched thread engaging with the screw thread ot said nut, a plug removably secured to the outer end ot said cylinder, said plug having a recess and said rod having an enlarged head engaging in said recess, a pinion on said rod and means actuated by said pinion or causing said displacers te reciprocate with but only through part of the stroke oit said plunger and thereby alternately transiter liquid to opposite ends et said displacer cylinders, and means tor maintaining the ends of said displacer cylinders at a difference ot tempera ture.

10. A heat engine comprising in combination a liquid-containing working cylinder and a plunger reciprocating therein, a set ot dis- Aplacers and a. set ot intercormnunicating liquid-containing cylinders wherein said dieplacers are contained, means connecting said displacer cylinders to said working cylinder, a screw threaded nut on the outer end et said plunger, a rod coaxial with said plunger and havinga coarse pitched thread engaging' with the screw thread of said nut, means for preventing the aXial movement of said. rod, a pinion on said rod, a rack engaged by said pinion, a second rack coaxial with said first mentioned rack and separably connected thereto, a pinion engaging said second rack, a rod secured to said last-named pinion, a set of pinions carried by said rod, the displacers having racks engaged, respectively, by the pimons of said set of pinions to reciprocate said displacers having racks and thereby alternately transfer liquid to opposite ends of said displacer cylinders, and means for maintaining the ends f said displacer cylinders at a difference of temperature.

11. A heat engine comprising a plurality of working cylinders closed at each end, a plunger reciprocating in each cylinder', a crank shaft actuated by the reciprocation of said plungers, a liquid contained in each of said cylinders adapted to contain a liquid at one end thereof, displacers, and liquid-containing cylinders containing said displacers disposed independently of said working cylinders, liquid in said displacer cylinders, pipes connecting the working cylinders with the displacer cylinders, means operated by said plungers for reciprocating said displacers in said displacer cylinders, an d means for maintaining a difference of temperature between the ends of said displacer cylinders, an accumulator, a pump connected to said accumulator, pipes connecting said accumulator with said displacer cylinders, and valves between said pump and said accumulator' and between said accumulator and said pipes.

12. A heat engine comprising a plurality of working cylinders closed at each end, a plunger reciprocating in each cylinder, a crank shaft and means for connecting said plungers to said crank shaft, each of said cylinders adapted to contain a liquid at one end thereof, displacers, and liquid-containing cylinders containing said displacers disposed independently of said working cylinders, pipes connecting the working cylinders with the displacer cylinders, means operated by said plungers for reciprocating said displacers in said displacer cylinders, and means for maintaining a difference of temperature between the ends of said displacer cylinders, an accumulator, a pump connected to said accumula tor, pipes connecting said accumulator with said displacer cylinders, valves inserted between said pump and said accumulator, and between said accumulator and said pipes, a liquid-containing tank connected to said pump, pipes connecting said tank with said displacer cylinders and valves inserted between said tank and said last mentioned pipes.

13. A heat engine comprising in combina tion a working cylinderV and a plunger reciprocating therein; a liquid volume modifier comprising a set of inter-communicating disu lacer cylinders and a. set of displacers working in said cylinders, means for maintaining the ends of said displacer cylinders at diftemperatnres; a conduit connecting said displacer cylinders and said working cylinder and forming therewith a continuous liquid containing chamber; means actuated by said plunger for imparting movement to said displacers and adapted to be connected to and disconnected from said displacers; and adjustable means for regulating the times oit connection and v disconnection ofl said plunger actuatedineans with said displacers to maintain the volume of liquid in said chamber substantially equivalent to the volume'of said chamber during reciprocations of said plunger.

14. A heat engine comprising a crank shaft, a cylinder having a closed end, a plunger reciprocating in said cylinder and in driving connection with a crank of said crank shaft, a liquid volume modifier connected to the space between the plunger and the closed end of said cylinder and forming with said space a continuous liquid-containing chamber, means adapted to be connected to and disconnected from said modifier, said means being operated by said reciprocating plunger to vary the action of said modifier, and aconnection control adjustable to regulate the times of connection of said means with and its disconnection from said modifier to cause the modifier by the variations in the temperature of said liquid to maintain the volume of liquid in said continuous chamber substantially equivalent to the total Volume of said continuous chamber during the reciprocations of said plunger.

15. A heat engine comprising a reciprocating` cross-head, a pair of cylinders each closed at one end, a plunger Working in each of said cylinders, means connecting each of said plungers with said cross-head to cause said plungers to reciprocate in opposite direcs tions to one another relatively to the closed end of' their respective cylinders, a liquid volume modifier vin communication with the space between the plunger and the closed end of each of said cylinders and forming therewith a continuous liquid containing chamber,

, means actuated by each of said plungers and adapted to be connected to and disconnected from the modifier associated therewith for imparting movement from said plunger ro said liquid volume modifier, and a connection control adjustable for regulating the times of connection and disconnection of each of said means and its associa-tedmodifier to cause each of said modifiers by varying the temperature of the liquid content therein to maintain the volume of liquid in its respective continuous chamber equivalent to the volume of said chamber during reciprocations of its respective plunger. p j

16. A heat engine comprising, in combination, a motor cylinder closed at one end and having a plunofer reciprocating therein, a crank shaft in riving connection withsaid ger, a liquid, volume medidas comprising a plurftlity of displacer cylinders having a free clizinnel ol communication with one another, :L displaeer in each of said displacer cylinders, means for maintaining a substantially predetermined difference of tempera ture bet Ween the opposite ends of the interiors of said displaleer cylinders, a conduit con- .nesting said vfree channel with the space between the plunger and the closed end of Said inotor cylinder and forming therewith a Continuous liquid Containing chamber, ineens operated by said plunger and adapted to be connected to and disconnected from said dis placers to shift said displaeers in said displaeer cylinders, and a connection control ad jusi'fzible for regulating` the tiines of Connection and disconnection of said ineens und said displacers to cause variations in volume of said liquid to keep pace with Variations in the Volume of said Chamber due to recprocations of said plunger.

In testimony whereof I have signed niy naine to this specification.

JOHN FOX JENNENS MALONE. 

